~Nobody Else~ { M. Tokito}

Chapter 21 - House of Tsubashi {Part 2}

My nails tapped impatiently on the wooden table. That man, the host, was waltzing around the place like it was nothing. None of these people had the slightest clue that they were eating food provided by a bloodthirsty demon. My body ached to run after him and kill him right now, but i didn't want to cause a big scene and frighten everyone.

Muichiro was watching every move Kuragi made as she went to different tables. "She'd better hurry up."

My stomach growled. When was the last time i ate? I picked up the menu in front of me and started flipping through the pages. There's no harm and having a little something for now, right?
My eyes brightened when i found my favorite dish: Beef Udon. There were two waiters looking closely at Muichiro and i, a frightened look in their eyes.

I motioned one of them over.

"Yes, ma'am?"

I ignored the other waitress still staring at us not far from our table and asked for a bowl of Beef Udon.

He nodded. "Of course, it won't take long."

When he returned with my food, i sensed something off about his energy. He seemed... wary, but also exited? I wasn't sure.

"Thank you," i said.

"Of course. But, um, if you find anything strange about the food, please let my know."

Narrowing my eyes, i replied, "Of course...Thank you."

Weirded out, i sniffed the bowl. Nothing strange. I dipped my spoon into the broth and brought it up to my lips, but hesitated. Was he trying to warn me just now? Or am I only imagining things.

I looked to Muichiro, who was still watching Kuragi intensely. "Should i?" i asked. "Does it smell fine to you?"

He picked the bowl up and gave it a whiff. "It smells normal to me."

I trusted his word and took a sip. Immense flavor crashed into my mouth like violent ocean waves, and for a moment i forgot about our mission. Mmm, good soup.

• • •

A couple minutes passed since Kuragi came to our table, and Muichiro had lost his patience. "I'm tired of this," he said, standing from his seat. "She's taking too long, let's go."

I placed my spoon down and followed him as he stormed towards the kitchen.

Not caring to knock, he kicked the door open and looked at the workers inside. "Where's Kuragi?" he demanded.

Kuragi appeared from the back. "A-Atsumi-san?" she stammered nervously.

One chef raised his voice. "What do you think you're doing back here?"

I stretched my neck. "Uhh, health inspection?"

Muichiro went up to my friend and grabbed her arm, pulling her out the room. "We need to talk, now."

The three of us stood out in the front of the restaurant. Night hadn't yet come to welcome any demons, thankfully.

"Tell us what you know." Muichiro got straight to the point. "What happened to the demon hunters who came here?"

Kuragi took in a deep breath, collecting herself. "They were killed," she began. "But not all of them. Most of them are gone, but some of us..."

"What?" Muichiro pressed.

"...Some were turned into demons. He uses this weird spell to make them appear as human while we're inside. But if they go outside when the sun isn't out, the spell...turns off? I don't know."